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Abstract:

To implement replenished-air ventilation of a passenger cabin of, for
example, an aircraft, an inner wall cladding (12) with integrated
replenished-air inlets (18) is proposed. For this purpose, the inner wall
cladding (12) has sandwich boards (30) which are constructed from a first
top layer (32) facing the passenger cabin (10), a second top layer (34)
facing away from the passenger cabin (10) and a sandwich core (36)
arranged between the first top layer (32) and the second top layer (34),
the sandwich core (36) being designed to be at least partially
air-permeable, and the first top layer (32) having at least one
air-permeable portion (38).

Claims:

1. A sandwich board for an inner wall cladding, in particular of a
passenger cabin of a vehicle, with a first top layer facing the passenger
cabin; a second top layer facing away from the passenger cabin; and a
sandwich core arranged between the first top layer and the second top
layer, wherein the sandwich core is designed to be at least partially
air-permeable; and the first top layer has at least one air-permeable
portion.

2. The sandwich board according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
air-permeable portion of the first top layer is designed to be at least
partially porous or perforated.

3. The sandwich board according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
air-permeable portion of the first top layer is provided at least
partially with an air-permeable membrane.

4. The sandwich board according to claim 1, wherein the second top layer
is designed to be essentially air-impermeable and the sandwich core is
connectable to an air source.

5. The sandwich board according to claim 1, wherein the second top layer
has at least one air-permeable portion.

6. An inner wall cladding, in particular for a passenger cabin of a
vehicle, comprising at least one sandwich board according to claim 1.

7. The inner wall cladding according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
sandwich board is integrated releasably into the inner wall cladding.

8. A passenger cabin of a vehicle, with an inner wall cladding comprising
at least one sandwich board according to claim 1 and with at least one
air source, connected to the inner wall cladding, for generating a
low-impetus replenished-airflow.

9. The passenger cabin according to claim 8, wherein the inner wall
cladding has a sidewall cladding with at least one sandwich board in the
near-floor region.

10. The passenger cabin according to claim 8, wherein the inner wall
cladding has a bottom with at least one sandwich board.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a sandwich board for an inner wall
cladding, particularly of a passenger cabin of a vehicle, to an inner
wall cladding with at least one such sandwich board and to a passenger
cabin of a vehicle having an inner wall cladding with at least one such
sandwich board.

[0002] The invention is in this case applicable especially preferably to a
passenger cabin of aircraft, but may also be used advantageously in other
vehicles, such as long-distances coaches, rail vehicles and watercraft.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Conventional ventilation systems of vehicles, such as aircraft, are
based on the principle of mixed ventilation. In this case, fresh air is
blown into the passenger cabin via air outlets, and the spent air in the
passenger cabin is sucked away via air outlets which consist, for
example, of half-shells glued to one another in a composite fibre type of
construction. In aircraft, pressure equalization in the passenger cabin
can also be regulated via this ventilation system.

[0004] It is customary, further, that the passenger cabins are provided,
for improving the comfort of passengers, with an inner wall cladding
which is attached to the inside of a carrying structure (designated as
the fuselage in aircraft). Such inner wall claddings often consist of
sandwich structures with two top layers and with a single-layer or
multi-layer sandwich core between them. In addition to having an
aesthetic appearance, such inner wall claddings should also be easy to
clean during the care of the interior of the passenger cabin and should
have high mechanical strength. The inner wall cladding may be mounted
with a clearance in relation to the carrying structure, in order to fill
the interspace thus occurring with insulating elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object on which the invention is based is to provide an
improved ventilation system for a passenger cabin of a vehicle.

[0006] This object is achieved by means of a sandwich board having the
features of claim 1, an inner wall cladding having the features of claim
6 and a passenger cabin having the features of claim 8. Advantageous
refinements and developments of the invention are the subject matter of
the dependent claims.

[0007] The sandwich board for an inner wall cladding, in particular of a
passenger cabin of a vehicle, according to the invention has a first top
layer facing the passenger cabin, a second top layer facing away from the
passenger cabin and a sandwich core arranged between the first top layer
and the second top layer, the sandwich core being designed to be at least
partially air-permeable, and the first top layer having at least one
air-permeable portion.

[0008] The sandwich board for the inner wall cladding is constructed from
two top layers and one single-layer or multi-layer sandwich core, in
order to satisfy all requirements as to an inner wall cladding, that is
to say, in particular, so as to have sufficient mechanical stability and
rigidity and provide an attractive cabin design which can be cleaned as
easily as possible.

[0009] A replenished-air ventilation system or part of a replenished-air
ventilation system is integrated in a compact way into this sandwich
board. In particular, the sandwich core is designed to be at least
partially air-permeable in order to form an air duct, and the first top
layer, facing the passenger cabin, of the sandwich board has at least one
air-permeable portion which serves as a replenished-air outlet.

[0010] In contrast to the conventional mixed-air concepts for passenger
cabins, the replenished-air concept set up with a sandwich board designed
in this way for the inner wall cladding provides cabin ventilation with
high air quality, low airflow velocities and stable airflow conditions in
the passenger cabin.

[0011] By the replenished-air concept being integrated into the inner wall
cladding of the passenger cabin, moreover, advantages in terms of weight,
of assembly and of cost can be achieved. In particular, this integration
avoids the need for additional air lines.

[0012] "Replenished-air ventilation" is to be understood in this context
as meaning the introduction of a low-impetus airflow in to the passenger
cabin. The airflows within the passenger cabin are then determined by the
heat sources and heat sinks. The introduction of the replenished air
takes place, for example, near the floor and it is sucked away in the
region of the ceiling of the passenger cabin. The air velocities
occurring in the passenger cabin are extremely low, and therefore there
are generally no signs of any appreciable draughts.

[0013] The "top layers" and the "sandwich core" of the sandwich board may
in each case be of single-layer or multi-layer design, depending on
requirements. Moreover, basically any desired materials and combinations
of materials may be processed for the sandwich board. Furthermore, the
sandwich board is not restricted to specific shapes and sizes; in
particular, the sandwich board does not have to be designed as a planar
board, but may even be curved, in order to adapt to the vehicle
structure. Furthermore, the two top layers of the sandwich board may
selectively run essentially parallel to one another or be at a variable
distance from one another. Also, the thicknesses (measured in the
direction of connection) of the first top layer, the second top layer,
the sandwich core and the entire sandwich board will be selected either
to be constant or to be variable throughout the sandwich board.

[0014] The "sandwich core" of the sandwich board designates in most
general terms the structure between the two top layers. It may, for
example, be formed from knobbed, folded, slotted or perforated
honeycombs, woven structures, foams or other structures. Moreover, the
sandwich core, depending on its set-up, may have the function of acoustic
insulation and/or thermal insulation.

[0015] The "air permeability" of the sandwich core and of the
air-permeable portion of the first top layer is selected such as to
afford air permeability which is sufficient for replenished-air
ventilation and is as uniform as possible. The air permeability of the
sandwich core may simply arise from the same structure, for example from
the same porosity. Should the air permeability of the sandwich core not
be sufficient or when the air permeability is to be influenced in a
directed way, it is possible to introduce ducts for air guidance into the
sandwich core. With an appropriate configuration of the ducts, it is
possible, for example, to set the ventilation properties or to influence
them advantageously. The ducts may be introduced into the sandwich core
or into its core material essentially by means of any desired methods,
particularly methods such as milling or the action of laser radiation and
the like being considered.

[0016] In one refinement of the invention, the at least one air-permeable
portion of the first top layer is designed to be at least partially
porous or perforated.

[0017] In a further refinement of the invention, the at least one
air-permeable portion of the first top layer is provided at least
partially with an air-permeable membrane.

[0018] The air-permeable portion of the first top layer of the sandwich
board according to the invention may, for example, be designed to be
porous, be provided with an air-permeable membrane or designed to be
porous and provided with an air-permeable membrane.

[0019] The sandwich board is in this case preferably also designed such
that if required (that is to say, for example, in the event of a sudden
pressure drop in the passenger cabin of an aircraft) pressure
compensation can be brought about in the passenger cabin (what is known
as the "rapid decompression" function).

[0020] In one refinement of the invention, the second top layer of the
sandwich board is designed to be essentially air-impermeable, and the
sandwich core is connectable to an air source or the sandwich core has a
connecting device for connection to an air source. The air is thus
supplied to the sandwich board via the sandwich core.

[0021] In another refinement of the invention, the second top layer has at
least one air-permeable portion. The air can thus be supplied, for
example, via the interspace between the sandwich board and a carrying
structure of the vehicle.

[0022] An inner wall cladding, in particular for a passenger cabin of a
vehicle, may be equipped with at least one sandwich board of this type.
Preferably, not all the sandwich boards of the inner wall cladding are
designed according to the present invention.

[0023] In one refinement of the invention, the at least one sandwich board
of the invention is integrated releasably into the inner wall cladding.
The replenished-air ventilation of a passenger cabin can thereby be
maintained in a simple way, and defective sandwich boards can simply be
exchanged.

[0024] The inner wall cladding designed according to the invention can be
connected to at least one air source for generating a low-impetus
replenished-airflow.

[0025] In one refinement of the invention, the inner wall cladding has a
side wall cladding with at least one sandwich board according to the
invention in the near-floor region.

[0026] In a further refinement of the invention, the inner wall cladding
has a bottom with at least one sandwich board according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and further features and advantages of the invention
become more easily understandable from the following description of
preferred and non-restrictive exemplary embodiments, with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a passenger
cabin of an aircraft according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a passenger
cabin of an aircraft according to a second exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a passenger
cabin of an aircraft according to a third exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic partial cross-sectional view of an
inner wall cladding of a passenger cabin according to a first preferred
embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic partial cross-sectional view of an
inner wall cladding of a passenger cabin according to a second preferred
embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below by the example of a
passenger cabin of an aircraft. However, the concept according to the
invention is applicable likewise to passenger cabins of other vehicles,
such as long-distance coaches, rail vehicles and watercraft.

[0034] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, various concepts of
replenished-air ventilation of the passenger cabin are presented by way
of example, in which the inner wall cladding according to the invention
can advantageously be used. Then, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, two
different embodiments of an inner wall cladding according to the
invention for implementing the replenished-air ventilation concept are
described.

[0035] The passenger cabin 10 of the aircraft is provided with an inner
wall cladding 12 which is provided, on the one hand, on the side walls
and the ceiling and, on the other hand, also on the floor or intermediate
floor. This inner wall cladding serves for the comfort of passengers and
affords a visually attractive design.

[0036] Stowage compartment rows 16 are also provided above the seat rows
14 in the inner wall cladding in the overhead region for the passengers.
Moreover, what are known as PSUs (Passenger Service Units, Passenger Seat
Units), are mounted in the region of these stowage compartment rows 16.

[0037] To implement the replenished-air ventilation concept, various
replenished-air inlets may be integrated in the inner wall cladding 12.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, replenished-air inlets 18 may be
introduced in the sidewall cladding in the near-floor region (FIGS. 1 and
2), replenished-air inlets 20 may be introduced in the sidewall cladding
underneath the stowage compartment rows 16 (FIG. 2) and/or
replenished-air inlets 22 may be introduced in the floor of the passenger
cabin.

[0038] The low-impetus replenished-airflow from these replenished-air
inlets 18-22 gives rise in the passenger cabin 10 to only low airflow
velocities. The airflows are caused in the passenger cabin 10 essentially
only by the existing heat sources and heat sinks. The air rising in the
passenger cabin 10 is finally sucked away from the passenger cabin 10 via
a replenished-air outlet 24 in the ceiling region.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, then, a first embodiment of an inner wall
cladding 12 with an integrated replenished-air outlet is explained in
more detail.

[0040] The inner wall cladding 12 of the passenger cabin 10 is composed of
a plurality of sandwich boards 26 which are attached to a carrying
structure (aircraft fuselage) 28 of the aircraft. Preferably, between the
aircraft fuselage 28 and the inner wall cladding 12, an interspace 29 is
provided, into which insulating material (in particular, thermal and
acoustic) is inserted.

[0041] In addition to the conventional sandwich boards 26, the inner wall
cladding 12 also has a plurality of sandwich boards 30 configured
according to the invention for providing the replenished-air outlets
20-22.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 4, these special sandwich boards 30, like
the other sandwich boards 26 of the inner wall cladding 12, are
constructed from a first top layer 32 facing the passenger cabin 10, a
second top layer 34 facing away from the passenger cabin 10, that is to
say facing the aircraft fuselage 28, and a sandwich core 36 between these
two top layers 32, 34. The sandwich core 36 is designed to be at least
partially air-permeable and contains, for example, knobbed, folded,
slotted or perforated honeycombs, a porous foam, a spacer fabric or a
built-up core.

[0043] While the second top layer 34 is designed to be essentially
air-impermeable, the first top layer has at least one air-permeable
portion 38. When the sandwich core 36 of this sandwich board 30 is
connected to a corresponding air source, the air flows through a sandwich
core 36 and emerges from the air-permeable portion 38 of the first top
layer 32 with low impetus into the passenger cabin 10. Preferably, the
sandwich core may have a connection for connecting to an air source or
may be connected to an air source via the air-permeable sandwich cores 36
of adjacent sandwich boards 30.

[0044] The air-permeable portion 38 of the first top layer 32 of the
sandwich board 30, the said portion serving as a replenished-air outlet,
is designed, for example, to be porous or perforated (for example, by
means of the laser perforation of a fibre-reinforced plastic layer).
Alternatively or additionally, an air-permeable membrane may also be
provided for this air-permeable portion 38.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, then, a second embodiment of an inner wall
cladding with an integrated replenished-air outlet is explained in more
detail. In this case, the same components are again identified by the
same reference numerals as in the first embodiment of FIG. 4

[0046] Whereas, in the first embodiment, the sandwich core 36 of a
sandwich board 30 serves as a air guide duct between the air source and
the replenished-air outlet, the replenished air is supplied to the
air-permeable portion 38 of the first top layer 32 from the interspace 29
between the aircraft fuselage 28 and the inner wall cladding 12. For this
purpose, the second top layer 34 also has at least one air-permeable
portion 42, so that the air can emerge through the air-permeable portion
42 of the second top layer 34, the air-permeable sandwich core 36 and the
air-permeable portion 38 of the first top layer 32 into the passenger
cabin 10,

[0047] Like the air-permeable portion 38 of the first top layer 32, the
air-permeable portion 42 of the second top layer 34 may be designed to be
porous or perforated and/or may be provided with an air-permeable
membrane. Furthermore, a filter device 44 is preferably attached to the
air-permeable portion 42 of the second top layer 34, in order to purify
and/or dry the air from the interspace 29.

[0048] In both embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the replenished-air
ventilation is integrated into the inner wall cladding 12 of the
passenger cabin 10. The special sandwich boards 30 of the inner wall
cladding 12 are in this case, like the other sandwich boards 26 of the
inner wall cladding 12, configured such that they afford an attractive
design, can be cleaned easily and are of stable construction.
Furthermore, the special sandwich boards 30 are installed preferably
releasably in the inner wall cladding 12, so that they can simply be
removed and exchanged, for example, for maintenance and repair purposes.